Calvin Harris’s 18 Months is a capsule collection of smash singles

Album review:
Calvin Harris’s third album 18 Months is as packed with hits as its predecessors, seizing euphoric clubby peaks and blending yearning and vulnerability into them.

Calvin Harris is joined by Rihanna, Dizzee Rascal, Ne-Yo and more on 18 Months (Picture: File)

Standing at 6ft plus in funky trainers, Scottish dance producer Calvin Harris has always been a slightly awkward presence at the pop party. His dry humour has often misfired, whether it’s through snarky Twitter quips or invading The X Factor stage with a pineapple head.

However, Harris’s crowd-rousing electro productions definitely make him a popular kid – even if he seems bemused by that popularity (he’s become more spotlight-shy than ever).

Third album 18 Months builds on his ascent since 2009’s Ready For The Weekend; the zany quirks of his 2007 debut I Created Disco have been buffed up, with lead vocals increasingly given over to belting guest stars. While Ready For The Weekend featured Harris’s bouncy collaboration with Dizzee Rascal , Dance Wiv Me, this time the pivotal spot goes to the storming We Found Love with Rihanna . That’s one of many massive moments in 18 Months – and Dizzee returns rakishly on Here 2 China.

18 Months works both as a set of singles and a cohesive album (Picture: AP Photo/Sony Music Distribution)

Of course, the album is unabashedly commercial; 18 Months could be a capsule collection of smash singles, yet it also works brilliantly as an album. That’s partly because these are never faceless anthems; its singers (Florence Welch on current chart-topper Sweet Nothing, Kelis, Ellie Goulding, Ne-Yo, Brit newcomer Ayah Marar) are well judged and rise to the songs, while the catchy hooks are lovingly arranged (even instrumental intro Green Valley is a highlight).

Unlike über-producer David Guetta, Harris seizes the euphoric clubby peaks and blends yearning and vulnerability into the mix. Love in a hopeless place, indeed.